ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Recipients of Visitor’s Awards 2019 have been announced today  by the President’s Secretariat. This year Visitor’s Awards will be presented for Research in - Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences; Physical Sciences; and Biological Sciences - and for Technology Development.
The Visitor’s Award for Research in Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences will be presented to Prof. Sibnath Deb from the Department of Applied Psychology, Pondicherry University, for his research in the field of child protection, especially his focus on child abuse and neglect, student’s mental health and HIV/AIDS.
The Visitor’s Award for Research in Physical Sciences will be presented to Prof. Sanjay Puri from the School of Physical Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, for his research in the field of nonequilibrium statistical physics and nonlinear dynamics.
The Visitor’s Award for Research in Biological Sciences will be jointly presented to Prof. Asad Ullah Khan from the Inter-disciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, for identifying Antimicrobial resistance  problem in India: mechanism of spread and control of AMR; and to Dr Partima from the Special Centre for Nanoscience, Jawaharlal Nehru University, for her research on nanobiosensors and nanobiointeractions especially early stage cancer diagnosis using nanomaterials bases biosensing platform.
The Visitor’s Award for Technology Development will be conferred on Dr Shaon Ray Chaudhuri from the Department of Microbiology, Tripura University, for her developing miarobial biofilm reactor for conversion of dairy wastewater into biofertilizer.
The Visitor’s Awards 2019 will be presented by the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, at a function to be organised in Rashtrapati Bhavan, at a date to be announced shortly.
For selecting the awardees, online applications were invited from all Central Universities for each category. A Selection Committee headed by Shri Sanjay Kothari, Secretary to the President and comprising eminent persons and academicians, assisted by a Sub-Committee, made the selections.
Visitor’s Awards had been instituted in 2014 to promote healthy competition amongst Central Universities and motivate them to adopt best practices from around the world in pursuit of excellence. Since then, the President annually confers Visitor’s Awards in various categories.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
ESIC reaches out to its Beneficiaries to provide medical care and relief during Covid-19 pandemic
Medical Benefit
- The Insured Person and/or his family members in case of being infected with COVID-19 can avail free of cost medical care in any of the ESIC/ ESIS Hospital which has been declared as COVID-19 dedicated hospital. Presently 21 ESIC hospitals run directly by ESIC with 3676 COVID Isolation Beds, 229 ICU beds and 163 ventilator beds and 26 ESI Scheme Hospitals run by State Govts. having 2023 beds are functioning as COVID-19 dedicated hospitals.
- In addition to above, instructions have been issued to each of the ESIC hospital to function with a minimum of 20% of its bed capacity as dedicated Covid beds for ESI IPs, beneficiaries, staff & pensioners.
- Plasma therapy which has shown promising results to save the lives of serious COVID-19 patients, is also available in ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Faridabad  and ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Sanath Nagar .
- ESI Beneficiaries may also seek Emergency/non-Emergency medical treatment from tie-up hospital directly without referral letter, in accordance with his/her entitlement.
- In case the IP or family member being infected with COVID-19 takes treatment in any private institution, the reimbursement of expenditure may be claimed.
Cash Benefit
- In case the Insured Person abstains from his work being infected with COVID-19, he can claim Sickness benefit for his period of abstention as per his entitlement. Sickness benefit is paid @ 70% of average daily wages for 91 days.
- In case any Insured person becomes unemployed, he may avail relief under Atal BeemitVyaktiKalyanYojana under @ 50% of average per day earning for a maximum 90 days. For availing this relief, the Insured Person can submit his claim online atwww.esic.in.
- In case, any Insured Person becomes unemployed due to retrenchment or closure of factory/establishment as per ID Act, 1947, he may claim unemployment allowance for a period of 02 years subject to qualifying conditions under RGSKY.
- In the event of unfortunate demise of any Insured Person, funeral expenses of Rs.15000/- are paid to the eldest surviving member of his family.
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets people of Odisha on Raja Parba
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted the people of Odisha on the special festival of Raja Parba.
"Greetings on the very special festival of Raja Parba. May this occasion strengthen the spirit of joy and brotherhood in society. I also pray for the good health and well-being of my fellow citizens", the Prime Minister said.
Ministry of Communications
AZADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV: 75 LAKH POSTCARD CAMPAIGN
India Post is organizing ‘75 lakhs Post Card Campaign’ from 01st December to 20th December 2021
The campaign is organised as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations
Students of class IV to XII of all schools  to write letters to Prime Minister
75 post cards having best ideas will be selected at All India level for the National level participation in the final event to be held on 17th January, 2022
India is celebrating the 75th anniversary of Independence. As part of commemoration, a series of events have been planned under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahatosav by the Government of India to give an opportunity to the young and old to know about the glorious history of India’s people, culture and achievements. Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav , is also a tribute to the Freedom Fighters and the Freedom movement of India.
The Department of Posts , Ministry of Communication, along with the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, is holding the ‘75 Lakh Post Card Campaign’ from 01st December to 20th December 2021. The campaign is open for all students of class IV to XII of all schools affiliated to CBSE as well as various state education boards including all Union Territories set up in India and abroad.
The post card can be purchased at the nominal cost of 50 paisa for which the schools are coordinating with the local postal authorities for arranging post cards for students. Department of Posts  is putting a rubber-stamped address on each Post Card and dispatching to the Prime Minister of India at South Block, New Delhi–110011. Each school will short list 10 post cards having best ideas and same will be uploaded on CBSE portal by CBSE affiliated schools & on MyGov portal by Non CBSE schools. 75 post cards having best ideas will be selected by CBSE HQ at All India level for the National level participation in the final event to be held on 17th January, 2022.
As on date more than 50 lakhs post cards have been sold by post offices across India during this campaign. In addition to that above 70 thousand schools have been contacted by Nodal Officers from Department of Posts and above 4.5 lakhs students have already written the post cards with a participation of around 7000 schools.
RKJ/M
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Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister’s meeting with Konstantinos Kalaitzis, renowned Greek researcher and musician
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met Mr. Konstantinos Kalaitzis, a Greek researcher, musician and friend of India, in Athens on 25 August 2023.
Prime Minister appreciated Mr. Konstantinos Kalaitzis' affection for India and his passion for Indian music and dance. Prime Minister had mentioned about him during the 95th edition of "Mann Ki Baat” on 27 November 2022.
They discussed possibilities of further popularizing Indian culture in Greece.
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets people on the auspicious occasion of Navratri
Also prays to Goddess Shailapurti
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted people on the auspicious occasion of Navratri. On the beginning of Navratri, Shri Modi also prayed to Goddess Shailaputri and wished happiness, health and fortune the grace of the goddess.
In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister tweeted;
"शक्ति की उपासना के महापर्व नवरात्रि की आप सभी को बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएं। आस्था और विश्वास का यह पावन अवसर हर किसी के जीवन में नई ऊर्जा और नए उत्साह का संचार करे। जय माता दी!"
"वन्दे वाञ्छितलाभाय चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।
वृषारूढां शूलधरां शैलपुत्रीं यशस्विनीम् ।।
देवी शैलपुत्री की आराधना के साथ आज से नवरात्रि का शुभारंभ हो रहा है। मेरी कामना है कि उनकी कृपा से हर किसी का जीवन सुख, सौभाग्य और आरोग्य से परिपूर्ण हो।"
Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
Celebration of 17th Statistics Day on the occasion of birth anniversary of Prof. P. C. Mahalanobis on 29th June 2023 at Gandhinagar
Statistics Day is celebrated since the year 2007 in recognition of the notable contributions made by  Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis in the field of Official Statistics and Economic Planning of the country in the post-independence era. The Government of India has designated 29th June as Statistics Day in the category of special day to be celebrated at the national level, to mark the birth anniversary of Prof. P. C. Mahalanobis. The objective of celebrating Statistics Day is creation of public awareness, especially among the younger generation, on the role and importance of statistics in socio-economic planning and policy formulation for the development of the country. The
17th Statistics Day will be celebrated nationwide on 29th June 2023 on the theme ‘Alignment of State Indicator Framework with National Indicator Framework for Monitoring Sustainable Development Goals’. Locally, the celebration event will be organized by the Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Gujarat, Gandhinagar at its premises in collaboration with the Field Operations Division and Data Processing Centre of NSSO Ahmedabad under the M/o Statistics & Programme Implementation, Government of India. Many Central and State Government officials including Shri S. K. Bhanawat, DDG, FOD, NSSO, Ahmedabad; Dr. Rahul S. Jagtap, DDG, NSSO, DPC, Ahmedabad; Shri R. R. Pandya, Director, DES Gandhinagar will grace the event. Local students pursuing Statistics/ Economics as a career and other invitees will also participate in this event. Quiz, antakshari, rangoli and elocution competitions on topics such as official statistics, SDGs etc. will also be held on this occasion. There will be technical sessions on the Theme and the various surveys conducted by the NSSO. Students will also make presentation on this occasion.
YP/GP/JD
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Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Increase in price of moong and urad
The retail prices of Moong and Urad in April, 2020 increased by 26.75% and 7.25% respectively as compared to their five-year monthly average prices. Prices are inter-alia affected by mismatch in demand and supply, shortfall in production owing to adverse weather conditions, seasonality, increased transportation costs, supply chain constraints like lack of storage facilities, artificial shortage created by hoarding and black marketing, etc.
The Government has taken various measures from time to time to stabilize prices of pulses which, inter-alia, include appropriately utilizing trade and fiscal policy instruments to suit domestic requirement and moderate prices. Further, calibrated releases from buffer stock of pulses through supply to States/UTs for utilization under their welfare schemes and open market sales are anticipated to moderate pulses price volatility and discourage hoarding and unscrupulous speculation that may arise on account of mismatch of demand and supply. States/UTs are also encouraged to undertake retail supply of pulses through fair price shops of PDS and their other marketing/retailing outlets. As part of Economic response to Covid-19, foodgrains are distributed at the rate of 5 kg per person per month, and pulses are distributed at the rate of 1 kg per household per month , free of cost, to all beneficiaries of the National Food Security Act , 2013 under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana  for the period of eight months from April to November 2020. In addition, foodgrains at the rate of 5 kg per person per month, and pulses at the rate of 1 kg per household are distributed, free of cost, to migrant workers who are not covered under NFSA for the period of two months, from April and May 2020. Distribution of foodgrains and pulses under PMGKAY and ANB have contributed to ensuring the availability of food items during lockdown and in controlling food inflation.
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution, Shri DanveRaosahebDadarao in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Power
NHPC Limited, signs E-Mobility Agreements with Convergence Energy Services Limited
NHPC to have the biggest Electric Vehicle Fleet amongst Central Public Sector Enterprises
 in India
In a significant step towards environment protection, NHPC Limited, India’s premier hydropower company under Ministry of Power has signed E-Mobility Agreements with Convergence Energy Services Limited  a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services Limited  for leasing of 25 nos of Electric Vehicles  and supply of 3 nos. of Electric Vehicle fast chargers to NHPC including its installation & commissioning. NHPC will have the biggest EVs fleet amongst Central Public Sector Enterprises  in India. NHPC had earlier leased 2 no. of Electric Vehicles through EESL in 2019.
The E-Mobility Agreements were signed through video conferencing yesterday. Shri A.K. Srivastava, CVO from NHPC and Ms. Mahua Acharya, MD & CEO and Shri Saurabh Kumar, Executive Vice Chairperson, Energy Efficiency Services Limited  were present on the occasion. NHPC has signed the E-mobility agreement as a step towards its commitment towards environment and on eve of celebrating World Environment Day 2021.
A broad MOU between NHPC and EESL to explore opportunities of Energy Efficiency and Conservation measures in NHPC is also under process.
Ministry of Finance
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence busts Arecanut smuggling attempt
On the basis of intelligence, 14 containers  destined for ICD, Talegaon were intercepted by DRI Mumbai at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port on the 31st of August, on the suspicion that they may be containing arecanuts . The containers were stopped at the JNPT Port before they could be transhipped to the said dry port in the hinterland, as it was suspected that the cargo could be pilfered or replaced en-route.
As per the Import Manifest details and the declaration made in the Bill of Lading the containers were to be carrying 'Calcium Nitrate'. However, examination revealed that it was a case of brazen misdeclaration and all the 14 containers had areca nuts which were being smuggled into India under the guise of Calcium Nitrate.
The Government has put a tariff value of 10379/- USD per metric ton on arecanuts brought into the country from outside.
Hence, the entire consignment of 371090 kg  of areca nuts,valued at Rs 32.31 Crores ,has been seized.
The areca nuts in split form attract the effective Customs Duty rate of 110% of the value. Hence,the attempted duty evasion in this case by way of misdeclaration is approx Rs.36 Crores. This is one of the biggest seizures of smuggled areca nuts in the country.
Further investigation in the case is under progress.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
India's 4-plank energy security strategy is based on diversifying supplies, increasing E&P, alternate energy sources and energy transition through a gas-based economy, Green Hydrogen etc.
India will contribute 25% of global demand by 2040 and achieve 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025: Hardeep Singh Puri.
India has been able to navigate through the most formidable energy crisis the world has seen since the 1973 oil crisis thanks to its four-pronged energy security strategy: Diversification of energy supplies; Increasing India's Exploration & Production footprint; Alternate energy sources and meeting energy transition through Gas-based economy, Green Hydrogen and EVs. India increased the number of its crude oil suppliers from 27 countries in 2006-07 to 39 in 2021-22, adding new suppliers like Columbia, Russia, Libya, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea etc., while strengthening our relationship with countries like US and Russia, said Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural gas.
"Diesel prices, which in India between December 2021 and December 2022 rose by only 3%, went up by 34% in the USA, 36% in Canada, 25% in Spain and 10% in the UK. There was a massive impact due to the Central excise cuts announced by the Hon'ble Prime Minister in May 2022 and November 2021, amounting to Rs. 13 per litre of petrol and Rs.15 per litre on diesel cumulatively, along with significant VAT rate cuts by many Indian states. Govt. of India intends to increase India's exploration acreage to 0.5 million sq. km. by 2025 and 1.0 million sq. km. by 2030. The Govt. has been successful in reducing the 'No Go' area by 99%, opening .91 million sq. km. of acreage; we have also established the National Data Repository  and plans are afoot for a cloud-based and AI/ML-powered National Data NDR 2.0.", he further said.
India increased the ethanol blending in petrol from 1.53% in 2013-14 to 10.17% in 2022 and advanced its target to achieve 20% ethanol blending in petrol from 2030 to 2025-26. The phased rollout of E20 will commence on 1st April 2023. The Govt. is also setting up five 2G ethanol biorefineries in the country at Panipat  in Haryana, Bathinda in Punjab, Bargarh  in Odisha, Numaligarh  in Assam and Devangere in Karnataka.
The Centre has also increased the rate for Compressed Biogas  plants under the SATAT scheme from Rs. 46/kg to Rs. 54/kg and is taking steps to ensure bio manure produced during CBG production is bundled with fertilizers like urea. IOCL has developed an innovative and patented stationery, rechargeable and always kitchen-connected indoor solar cooking system, which has replicability in India and globally.
Govt. of India is investing Rs.19,744 crores into the National Green Hydrogen Mission for developing green hydrogen production capacity of at least 5 MMT  per annum. India's petroleum refineries constitute the majority of demand for the fuel, and MoP&NG will aggressively pursue green hydrogen to support the development of the nascent industry. OMCs are targeting the installation of Alternate Fuel Stations  at 22,000 Retail Outlets by May 2024.
Special Service and Features
Government of India has announced the sale of Wheat/ Rice to private buyers/traders/manufacturers in order to curb the retail inflation
Government of India has announced the sale of Wheat/ Rice to private buyers/traders/manufacturers in order to curb the inflationary retail prices of Wheat/Wheat Flour/Rice in the open market. Food Corporation of India, Tamil Nadu Region will release Wheat FAQ/Wheat URS  and Rice  to buyers/traders under Open Market Sale Scheme  for registered bulk buyers/traders/manufacturers of Wheat/ Rice products. FCI is conducting OMSS e-Auctions through mjunction, at http://www.valuejunction.in/fci . Empanelment of buyers/traders is an ongoing process and interested buyers/traders of Wheat/ Rice may get themselves empanelled/registered with mjunction at http://www.valuejunction.in/fci to participate in e-auction. FCI TN region is floating tender for e-auction for sale of Wheat/ Rice on every Friday, since 23.06.23 2023.
The small  traders desirous of purchasing wheat from minimum 10 MT to maximum 100 MT per trader/entity per depot from designated FCI depots under OMSS can purchase through participation in e-auction at the base rate of Rs. 21.50/kg, Rs.21.25/Kg, Rs 31.00/ Kg for FAQ wheat ,URS wheat and Rice respectively.
To know more about process of Empanelment/Registration of buyers/traders, weekly e-Auctions, MTF, depot-wise quantity offered and terms and condition, all interested parties may log on to www.fci.gov.in , or http://www.valuejunction.in/fci .
Ministry of Defence
Centre for land Warfare Studies  Initiates PHD Programme for Army Officers
The Centre for Land Warfare Studies , an autonomous think tank, under the patronage of Indian Army has established a joint initiative with Manipal Academy of Higher Education , Mangalore, formerly known as Manipal University, to conduct PhD programme for Army Officers.
CLAWS has taken this initiative to further enhance professional military education  of officers which will eventually benefit the country with better equipped military leaders with in-depth knowledge in respective domains.
Under the initiative, CLAWS has been recognised as a sub-centre of MAHE by virtue of which five of CLAWS faculties will serve as co-supervisors. CLAWS will also initiate the selection process and conduct mandatory research methodology classes, as per guidelines given by the UGC and MAHE, Mangalore.
All details pertaining to the initiative along with application forms are available on the CLAWS website  under the header “UNIVERSITY CELL”. Interested candidates are requested to send their duly filled application forms latest by 30 June 2021.
AYUSH
CSIR Developed Anti-Diabetes Medicine
The diabetic population in the country is close to hitting the alarming mark of 69.9 million by 2025, which denotes that the country is expected to witness an increase of 266%.
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research , through its constituent laboratories namely CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants , Lucknow; and CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute , Lucknow developed scientifically validated herbal product NBRMAP-DB as anti-diabetic formulation and the knowhow for the product was licensed to M/s AIMIL Pharma Ltd., Delhi who are manufacturing and marketing it as BGR-34, across the country.
M/s AIMIL Pharmaceuticals, the licensee carried out the clinical study of BGR-34 and the trial was registered in clinical trial registry of India . Further, the formulation has shown therapeutic efficacy for treating newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes, as found in independent clinical trials conducted at Banaras Hindu University , Varanasi.
The Central of Research in Ayurveda Sciences , and autonomous body under Ministry of AYUSH has been engaged in extending research oriented Ayurveda based on integrative health care services for the management of Madhumeha which is Diabetes Mellitus. The following are the core activities
- CCRAS in collaboration with Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has implemented and executed a programme viz. Integration of AYUSH  component with NPCDCS programme in the identified districts of 3 states viz. Bhilwara , Surendranagar  and Gaya  to cater health care services and to reduce the burden of NCDs including Diabetes by combining the strength of Ayurveda and Yoga. The programme was launched during 2016 and continuing in 3 districts viz. Bhilwara , Surendranagar  and Gaya . The aforesaid programme is now successfully functional in 52 centres  of the all 3 identified districts, through AYUSH- NPCDCS Clinic/Lifestyle modification Clinics, established for prevention and management of selected NCDs by Ayurvedic intervention, Lifestyle modifications and Yoga Advice.
- CCRAS had developed the AYUSH82 formulation for diabetes through scientific process of drug development and commercialized through National Research Development Corporation  for wider public utility.
- Generation of evidences on efficacy & safety of classical Ayurveda formulation on Diabetes Mellitus. CCRAS has done efficacy and safety on formulations viz. Nishamalki churna, Saptvinsti Gugullu, Yasad bhasm, Guduchi churna, Chandraprabha vati, Haridra churna anmd Gokshuradi Gugullu.
- CCRAS has published the documents viz. Protocol on Prevention and Management for Diabetes Mellitus and compendium on research articles on Diabetes Mellitus which are made available in the public domain for benefit of practitioner’s, physician and researchers
This information was given by the Minister of State  for AYUSH, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.